SMITH STYLE

Last updated : 02 January 2005 By Editor

"He didn't wait to settle in. He'd been to a European Cup semi-final with Leeds, he'd had great spells there and played under pressure because their fans are as demanding as they are at Manchester United. He's played for his country and he hit the ground running.

"He's a man. I've told him a couple of times he's done fantastic and he said, 'You don't need to explain to me, I know I've done well. I'll be the first to say it if I've disappointed myself because I know my own expectations.' He said to me, 'I'm delighted, I'm loving it here every minute.' And that was good to hear because sometimes you talk to players who you have reluctantly had to leave out, the likes of Phil Neville, and it's very, very difficult."